Help Samantha Orobator

Samantha Orobator is a British woman who is currently imprisoned in Laos on drug trafficking charges that can carry the death penalty. She was impregnated while in prison (read: probably raped). Read the CNN article here and The Field Negro’s take here. If you have a blog, facebook, twitter or similar social networking service, use it to bring attention to this issue, which is getting next to no coverage in the mainstream media.

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Most reports don’t ask the question about the facts that lead to her arrest in the first place. Currently, no one in the press has access to the ‘facts’ because no one has been given access to her (save for the consulate – which will never interfere in another country’s sovereign legal process).

In fact, only these allegations are known at this time:
1. Drugs were found in luggage during transit through Laos.
2. The authorities have stated that the luggage belonged to her.
3. The quantity is sufficient to incur the death penalty.
4. She was locked up in a local prison facility, initially without consular assistance, then without legal assistance. Her family was not informed.
5. She denies the charges, but other than that, zero information has been released.
6. Legal counsel from Reprieve was denied access, despite being issued a visa. Only after international pressure was she allowed to pick a ‘local lawyer’ from a preselected list. When Reprieve was given access, it was in the presence of government officials – which meant nothing meaningful could be discussed with the detainee.
7. Authorities intend to move her trial date forward. Normally, it takes years for such a trial to be heard, but in an effort to reduce the case’s profile, the authorities wish to short list it. Moving the date will make it very difficult for the defence to prepare. If they are heard at all.
8. She is pregnant & it has been reported that this happened while she was detained in a women’s only prison.
9. News reports suggest she is being coerced into saying the pregnancy was voluntary.

In many countries, there is no presumption of innocence in drug smuggling cases. Laws in Oceana, Asia, the Middle East (among other areas) shift the burden of proving innocence onto the person charged if the authorities can prove possession. Any luggage can be tampered with. If it has a zip, it can be opened with a pen and resealed in seconds. Without a trace. Even if it is locked. It could happen to you.